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Scotchmans Essay Contest: Does Wilderness Have Value?

The question “Does Wilderness Have Value?” was explored by students from four Sanders County schools, who submitted essays for a contest sponsored by the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. The contest is open to middle and high school students in Sanders County Montana.

We’d like to thank all of the students who particpated! The high quality of work submitted made choosing winners a difficult, but enjoyable, task.

We are pleased to announce the winners!

McKenna Krueger, a seventh grader from Noxon, won the overall prize of a $100 savings bond and a Scotchmans cap, with a beautiful and very moving essay. Kaylie Cox, an eigth grader from Thompson Falls, took the second prize of a Scotchmans sweashirt, with another exceptional entry. Other winners were Mitchell Carpenter, a twelfth grader from Plains, and Holly Carlsmith, fifth grader from Trout Creek.

Project coordinator Ernie Scherzer had high praise for the essays, saying he could think of few examples of student writing that could equal some of the winners. Scherzer noted that the younger authors did extremely well! He has been a teacher, and now a school volunteer, for over 50 years, as well as advisor to a student literary magazine.

About The Author:

Phil Hough is the Executive Director of the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.

An avid long distance hiker, Phil's experience on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trails brought a passion for wild places and motivated him to work towards protecting the one of the last and largest wild places in northern Idaho and Western Montana, the Scotchman Peaks.